Suffolk Man Convicted Of Sexually Abusing Great Niece Repeatedly: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A 67-year-old East Northport man was found guilty by a jury of sexually abusing his great niece for years, beginning on her last day of kindergarten, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced Wednesday.

The man was not named in order to protect the girl's identity, the DA's Office said. He faces up to 25 years in prison at his sentencing.

"Because of this defendant's horrific actions, his great niece's memory of her last day of kindergarten will not be a happy one — it will be a reminder of the day that her sexual abuse by a trusted family member began," Tierney said. "As a result of her courage in coming forward to testify against her abuser, the defendant now faces a lengthy prison sentence where he can no longer hurt her."

In June 2015, the girl's family took her to a restaurant to celebrate her kindergarten graduation, investigators said. When the girl needed to use the restroom, her great uncle took her there, officials said. After the girl used the bathroom, her great uncle pulled down his pants and sexually abused her, authorities said. The abuse continued whenever the girl visited her great uncle's home, until the last incident in May 2020, prosecutors said.

The victim told her mother about the abuse in April 2022, when she was 12 years old, during
a conversation concerning the girl's depression and self-image, the DA said. Her mother reported the abuse to the Suffolk police, and the great uncle was arrested on April 13, 2022, authorities said.

The man was convicted Wednesday of first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child and endangering the welfare of a child.

The man is due back in court for sentencing on April 19 and faces up to 25 years in prison and 20 years of post-release supervision. He will also be required to register as a sex offender. The man was represented by Christopher Brocato.